Obituaries : Robert Emhardt; Actor, School Board Member

Actor and longtime Ojai school board member Robert Emhardt died this week after an extended illness. He was 80.

An active Ojai resident, Emhardt, originally from Indianapolis, served on the Ojai Unified School District Board of Education for about 15 years. He also served on the Parks and Recreation Department board, and was well known for his performances in local community theater productions.

Emhardt’s love of acting took him to London, where he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and then to New York, where he first performed on Broadway at age 24. He appeared in 17 Broadway plays and more than 1,000 television and film productions.

Emhardt is survived by his wife, Silvia, four children and two grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Ojai at 11 a.m. Jan. 7.